§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the recent murderous attacks upon individuals and raids by armed miscreants, with a view of damaging public property or setting fire to buildings or property in the neighbourhood of certain large towns, he will introduce legislation, or make use of the Emergency Powers Act, in order to enforce the penalty of flogging to be added to any sentence that may be passed in the case of any person convicted of taking any part in an armed raid, either for the purpose of destroying property, arson, or intimidation of persons, and also increase the maximum penalty to penal servitude for life for these crimes when committed in England, Scotland, and Wales?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe Emergency Powers Act cannot be used in the case of the crimes mentioned in the question, as the maximum punishment under that Act is three months' imprisonment, and I could74W not recommend Parliament to authorise the infliction of flogging as likely to be effective for the prevention of these crimes; but the destruction of property and arson are already punishable with penal servitude, and in the worst cases with penal servitude for life. Attempt to commit murder is also punishable with penal servitude for life, and under the Firearms Act of last Session the possession of firearms, with intent to endanger life or to cause serious injury to property, is punishable, whether injury is actually caused or not, with penal servitude for 20 years.